How to Maximize Under-the-Bed Space

There is a world of storage space under our beds and very few people really make good use of it. Sure, you might shove your shoes under there and kids are great at storing anything they don't want their mothers to see under their beds, but there are better uses for this handy area.

If you are just sick and tired of sweeping up dust bunnies and trying to clear out the junk that always seems to accumulate beneath a bed, it just might be time to think about investing in an under-bed cabinet. These can be bought as part of a bed where all you provide is the mattress, or you can have one custom made.

Basically, an under-bed cabinet is a box that your mattress and box spring sit on top of. It contains drawers in the lower part, two or three per side and is an excellent way to maximize use of your storage space. Since these units tend to be taller than the average legs that come with a box spring, you can fit even more under there. You might even be able to eliminate your regular dresser.

However, if you don't have the money or interest in investing in an under-bed cabinet, there are still plenty of ways to use the storage space. You can buy flat rolling containers made of plastic. These are very useful for storing extra bedspreads and out of season clothing or items that will later be handed down to a cousin or younger sibling. They can be easily pulled out from under the bed and the clear plastic allows for easy viewing of the contents.

A cheaper option is to use large cardboard boxes cut to size. All you have to do is slice down the corners until the box is the right height to slide under the bed. Fold the flaps over and cut off any excess cardboard. These boxes can hold just about anything and if one wears out for some reason, you can quickly replace it. However, if liquid tends to get spilled in your room, you may want to line the boxes with plastic to avoid having items destroyed.

The space under your bed needs to be utilized. It is ideal for hiding things and it is a much neglected area. Why not evict those dust bunnies and make good use of the space? It is so simple, there's no reason not to.